Occupational safety and health: employee refusal to perform hazardous tasks.
- Expands employee rights to refuse dangerous work tasks while maintaining full pay during safety disputes.
- Requires employers to address safety concerns before workers must resume questioned tasks.
- Prohibits any retaliation against workers who refuse hazardous assignments in good faith.
- Grants employees the right to sue for wages if laid off or discharged for refusing unsafe work.
Assembly Member Sharp-Collins' workplace safety legislation expands California employees' rights to refuse hazardous work tasks while maintaining their wages. The proposed changes to the Labor Code establish specific conditions under which employees can decline assignments they reasonably believe could result in injury or illness.
Under the bill's provisions, employees must first attempt to notify their employer about safety concerns and allow for a response addressing those concerns. If employers fail to adequately address the risks, employees can refuse the task while continuing to receive full wages until the hazard is eliminated or they are assigned alternative safe work. The legislation defines injuries and illnesses broadly, encompassing both acute conditions like cuts and fractures as well as chronic issues such as respiratory disorders and heat illness.
The measure prohibits employers from taking disciplinary action against employees who refuse hazardous tasks under these guidelines. Employees who face retaliation or wage losses due to exercising these rights would gain explicit legal pathways to recover lost pay. The bill also removes current language specifically including domestic workers in these protections, potentially affecting their coverage under the new provisions.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
 LaShae Sharp-CollinsD Assembly Member | Bill Author |  Not Contacted |
- Expands employee rights to refuse dangerous work tasks while maintaining full pay during safety disputes.
- Requires employers to address safety concerns before workers must resume questioned tasks.
- Prohibits any retaliation against workers who refuse hazardous assignments in good faith.
- Grants employees the right to sue for wages if laid off or discharged for refusing unsafe work.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Sharp-Collins' workplace safety legislation expands California employees' rights to refuse hazardous work tasks while maintaining their wages. The proposed changes to the Labor Code establish specific conditions under which employees can decline assignments they reasonably believe could result in injury or illness.
Under the bill's provisions, employees must first attempt to notify their employer about safety concerns and allow for a response addressing those concerns. If employers fail to adequately address the risks, employees can refuse the task while continuing to receive full wages until the hazard is eliminated or they are assigned alternative safe work. The legislation defines injuries and illnesses broadly, encompassing both acute conditions like cuts and fractures as well as chronic issues such as respiratory disorders and heat illness.
The measure prohibits employers from taking disciplinary action against employees who refuse hazardous tasks under these guidelines. Employees who face retaliation or wage losses due to exercising these rights would gain explicit legal pathways to recover lost pay. The bill also removes current language specifically including domestic workers in these protections, potentially affecting their coverage under the new provisions.
Latest Voting History
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted |